On February 22, 2010 the pre-novices went to the Port of Newark to attend the Memorial Mass for Fr. Mario Balbi, S.D.B. Fr. Mario passed away 1 year ago on February 23, 2010. In attendance were men and women who work at the Port. The celebrant of the Mass was The Most Rev. Edgar Moreira da Cunha, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Newark.
The pre-novices were asked to become the music and choir for the celebration upon their arrival. So with just moments to prepare the pre-novices managed to put together an opening song, Mass Parts, and a closing song. The closing song was “Friend of the Young and the Poor” by Fr. Stephen Schenck, S.D.B. The pre-novices thought that it would be a fitting touch to play a song about Don Bosco to pay tribute to Fr. Mario.
After the Mass all were invited outside for a “special surprise.” This special surprise was the unveiling of a street sign. The street outside of the port chapel, Stella Maris, was named in honor of Fr. Mario. The name of the street is Fr. Mario Balbi Way. Bishop da Cunha said that we can look at this not only as the entrance to the chapel, but as a way to model ourselves in the way we live our lives. Citing that Fr. Mario is an excellent person for all to model their lives after.
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